Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
  • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
  • G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
  • G01M3/32—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators
  • G01M3/3236—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators by monitoring the interior space of the containers
  • G01M3/3254—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators by monitoring the interior space of the containers using a flow detector
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
  • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
  • G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
  • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
  • G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
  • G01M3/28—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
  • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
  • G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
  • G01M3/32—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators
  • G01M3/3236—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators by monitoring the interior space of the containers
  • G01M3/3263—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators by monitoring the interior space of the containers using a differential pressure detector

Definitions

• the technical sector of the present invention is that of electronic measuring and detection devices.
• An electronic card for acquiring and processing data representative of the images captured by a digital camera may for example be in a sealed enclosure under forced pressure.
• the apparatus for checking the seal generally comprises a sensor measuring the pressure in the chamber for detecting, after several successive significant measurements, a variation of the pressure.
• a problem is however that a very low leakage will cause a very gradual degradation of the pressure in the chamber.
• the detection of such a leak then requires many measurements for a long period of time extending for example over 24 hours. Sealing tests require more means than the number of speakers is important.
• the present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a seal verification device for quickly detect even a low leak in a sealed enclosure.
• a device for checking the tightness of an enclosure under a predetermined pressure placed in leaktight communication with a closed measurement space arranged in the verification device which comprises an electronic processing module and a first pressure sensor arranged in said measurement space and transmitting to the electronic processing module, by a first communication link, a first signal representative of the pressure in the chamber, the electronic processing module comprising at least calculation means and storage means connected to communication means, characterized in that it comprises at least one precision module cooperating with the electronic processing module so as to overcome variations in temperature of the surrounding environment during the execution of processing operations of at least said first signal representative of the pressure in the enclosure and of detection of a leak in the enclosure.
• the precision module comprises at least one temperature sensor transmitting to the processing module, by a second communication link, a second signal representative of the surrounding temperature, the processing module in cooperation with the module.
• PREFERRED DE PREMIERE DE PREMIER DE PRECISION DE PREMIERE Precision measuring a first pressure measurement simultaneously with a first temperature measurement and separated from a determined time interval of a second pressure measurement simultaneously with a second associated temperature measurement.
• the processing module in cooperation with the precision module performs the following processing:
• F is the value of the leak expressed in mbar / 24h
• Pi corresponds to the first pressure measured in mbar
• P 2 corresponds to the second pressure measured in mbar
• ⁇ corresponds to the first temperature measured in degrees
• T 2 corresponds to the second temperature measured in degrees
• Ki and K 2 are constants and
• t corresponds to the time interval between the two pressure measurements expressed in seconds
• the leak being detected if a predetermined leakage threshold stored in memory is exceeded.
• the module of precision comprises at least one chamber and a second pressure sensor installed in this chamber and transmitting a third signal to the processing module, the chamber being connected by at least a first valve to said measuring space so as to be able to be put to the same pressure that said chamber when said first valve is in the open position, the processing module in cooperation with the precision module performing at least one differential measurement of the pressures measured by the first and second pressure sensors when said first valve is in position closing device for detecting the leak if a predetermined differential pressure threshold stored in the memory is exceeded.
• the precision module comprises a reserve of pressurized gas connected to an expander in communication with a second connecting valve with said measurement space and a third pressure sensor upstream of this second valve, the second valve being controlled in the closed position when the pressure to be tested in the chamber is reached.
• the precision module comprises a flowmeter disposed across a passage made in the measurement space providing at least one signal representative of the establishment of a pressure in the chamber.
• the verification device comprises a program for conditioning the enclosure, which integrates the signal supplied by the flowmeter to calculate the injection of a determined volume injected during a sweep in the enclosure. which comprises an evacuation valve then placed in the open position.
• the conditioning program comprises a function of processing the first signal supplied by the first sensor and checking the fluidity of the circulation during the scanning.
• a very first benefit is that even a small leak in the speaker can be detected very quickly in a few seconds.
• Another advantage of the leak detection device according to the present invention is that it can be manufactured in a compact manner and be in the form of a portable carrying case.
• Another advantage of the present invention is that the leak detection device is particularly accurate and allows the detection of leaks of the order of mbar / 24h.
• FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of a device for verifying the seal according to the invention
• FIGS. 2 and 3 each represent the steps of a sealing verification program.
• Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a verification device 1 of the seal.
• the verification device 1 shown here schematically is for example in the form of a portable bag or a carriage.
• the verification device 1 comprises an electronic processing module 5 connected by input and output ports 40-46 to sensors 4, 8, 20, 22 and 23 and actuators 13, 16 and 52.
• the verification device 1 comprises in particular a temperature sensor 8, pressure sensors 4, 20 and 22 and a flow sensor 23.
• the verification device 1 also comprises valves 13 and 16 which can be controlled by a control signal C30 or 031 ⁇ or manually.
• the verification device 1 comprises a power supply component not shown electrical such as a battery or batteries or a transformer connected to an electrical network.
• the power supply component supplies the electronic processing module in a known manner 5 and the power stages of the actuators 13 and 16.
• the enclosure 2 comprises an evacuation port controlled by a valve 52 which will be described later.
• the enclosure 2 is connected by a sealed connector 34 to a measurement space 3.
• This measurement space 3 is for example in the form of a pipe.
• the pipe is closed by the valve 16.
• the measuring space 3 is of course closed when this valve 16 is in the closed position.
• the measuring space 3 can be opened when the first valve 16 is in the open position and thus be placed in communication with a pressurizing circuit or with a chamber 12.
• the valve 16 for opening or closing the measuring space 3 can be controlled by a control signal C31 generated by the processing module 5 via its port 43.
• the measurement space 3 comprises a flow sensor 23 installed in a passage 24 of the measurement space 3 and generating a signal M33 representative of the flow rate measured and transmitted to the processing module 5 via its port 44.
• a pressure sensor 4 provides a signal M6 representative of the pressure in the measurement space 3 and transmitted to the processing module 5 via its port 46.
• This sensor 4 comprises a probe 4b disposed in the measurement space 3 and connected to an interface 4a generating the signal M6 representative of the pressure and in communication with the port 46.
• the pressure sensor 4 disposed in the measurement space 3 provides a signal representative of the pressure in the chamber 2.
• the pressurizing circuit comprises a reserve 14 of gas under pressure connected to a pressure regulator 15 for supplying pressurized gas.
• the pressure sensor 22 comprises a probe 22a disposed at the output of the expander 15 and connected to an interface 22b which generates a signal M32 representative of the pressure at the output of the expander 15.
• This signal M32 is transmitted to the electronic processing module 5 via its port 40.
• This signal M32 is for example read and processed by a program performing a display of the pressure on a control screen.
• the outlet pressure of the regulator can thus easily be adjusted by a user.
• the device for verifying the seal 1 also comprises a safety valve 27 connected to the output of the expander 15 and opening automatically for safety beyond a threshold of safety pressure.
• the outlet of the expander is furthermore connected to the inlet of the valve 16 for closing the measuring space 3.
• a chamber 12 can be closed or opened by a valve 13 controlled by a control signal C30 transmitted by the electronic processing module 5 via its port 41.
• the output of this valve 13 is connected to the input of the closing valve 16 3.
• the chamber 12 is equipped with a pressure sensor 20 comprising a probe 20b disposed in the chamber 12.
• This probe 20b is connected to an interface 20a providing a signal M21 representative of the pressure in the chamber 12 and transmitted to the treatment module 5 via its port 42.
• the chamber 12 is disposed in the same environment 7 as the chamber 2.
• the chamber 12 and the chamber 2 are thus disposed in the same external environment at a predetermined temperature.
• the chamber 12 and the chamber 2 may also be made of a material having the same thermal conductivity characteristics.
• the temperature sensor 8 transmits a signal M9 representative of the temperature of the surrounding medium to the processing module 5 via its port 45.
• the temperature sensor 8 is disposed in the same environment as the enclosure 2.
• the temperature sensor comprises a probe 8a connected to an interface 8b providing the signal M9 representative of the temperature of the surrounding environment where the enclosure 2 is arranged.
• the environment 7 is for example filled with air or is filled with a particular gaseous mixture in a controlled environment.
• the processing module 5 comprises ports 40-46 for connecting the lines. communicating with the sensor or actuator interfaces. These ports 40-46 are each connected to a link bus 17 also connected to a calculation component 10 and to a storage component 11.
• the bus allows data exchange, synchronization and control of the components.
• the bus notably allows a control of readings and writes in memory.
• a clock CLK is for example connected to each of the components.
• the clock CLK allows a synchronized operation of the electronic processing module 5.
• the bus 17 is also connected to a communication port 47 with human machine interface components 48 such as buttons, joysticks, touch sensors, display screens or loudspeakers.
• human machine interface components 48 such as buttons, joysticks, touch sensors, display screens or loudspeakers.
• the storage component 11 comprises various programs, including data processing programs P 50 and P 51 for the verification of the leaktightness or the detection of a leak according to stored detection thresholds S 25 and S 26.
• the storage component also includes a P55 speaker conditioning program.
• the valves 13 and 16 are arranged in the closed position.
• the enclosure can then be tightly connected to the measuring space by means of a sealed connector 34.
• This connector 34 allows, for example, an automatic closing of. enclosure when the verification device is disconnected.
• the verification device 1 makes it possible, in particular, to set the enclosure 2 at a predetermined pressure.
• a program of verification of the sealing P51 stored in memory 11 is for example performed by a start signal generated by the interface 48.
• This start signal is for example generated by pressing a start button or the press on a boot area of a touch screen.
• the launch of the verification program is for example meant to a user by a message displayed on a screen or by a sound bit or by the illumination of a light.
• the pressurization can then be carried out by acting on the expander 15.
• the expander 15 is open until a determined pressure is reached at the outlet of the expander 15.
• the pressure sensor 22 at the outlet of the expander allows a control of the supply pressure.
• the signal representative of the pressure M32 at the outlet of the expander is, for example, compared with a determined determined pressure.
• the verification device emits a signal representative of this pressure, such as a sound signal, a light signal or displays a message on a screen.
• the actuation of the regulator can be achieved for example manually.
• an opening of the valve 16 for access to the measuring space 3 is controlled.
• This opening is for example performed automatically by an opening control signal C31 transmitted by the processing module 5 to a control interface of the valve 16.
• Each valve comprises for example an electronic control stage of a power stage actuating a motor element for positioning the valve in the open position or in the closed position.
• the flow sensor 23 installed in a passage 24 of the measurement space 3 provides a signal M33 representative of a determined flow rate. When the detected flow is zero, the pressure in the measurement space 3 is then stabilized.
• the valve 16 for access to the measurement space 3 is closed. Closing is for example performed automatically by a control signal C31 of the valve 16 in the closed position.
• a first simultaneous reading of a pressure in the measurement space and an associated temperature is performed.
• the data representative of this first pressure and of this first temperature are stored in memory.
• a timing step of a specified duration is then executed.
• This delay has for example a duration of between 10 ms and 1000 ms.
• a second simultaneous reading of a pressure in the measuring space 3 and an associated temperature is performed.
• the data representative of this second pressure and of this second temperature are stored in memory.
• a step of calculating a leak rate is then performed.
• the leakage rate is determined according to the following formula:
• F is the value of the leak expressed in mbar / 24h
• Pi corresponds to the first pressure measured in mbar
• P 2 corresponds to the second pressure measured in mbar
• Ti is the first temperature measured in degrees Celsius when measuring the first pressure
• T 2 corresponds to the second temperature measured in degrees Celsius at the time of measurement of the second pressure
• Ki and K 2 are constants and
• K 1 and K 2 are for example equal to 273.
• This threshold S25 is for example between 0.1 mbar / 24h and 1 mbar / 24h. If the threshold S25 is exceeded P51 program ends with the transmission of a leak detection message.
• the program P51 ends with the transmission of a verification message of one sealing.
• the program P51 then advantageously comprises pressurizing the enclosure already packaged and ready for use after disconnection.
• a program could also be envisaged without the steps of pressurizing and opening and closing the valve 16 for access to the measuring space 3.
• the step of reading and memorizing the first pressure and the first temperature is directly executed as soon as the leak test program is launched.
• valves 13 and 16 are arranged in the closed position.
• the enclosure can then be tightly connected to the measurement space 3 by means of a sealed connector 34.
• the leak detection program P50 stored in the memory 11 is executed.
• the launching of this program P50 is for example carried out by a start signal generated by the 48.
• This start signal is for example generated by pressing a start button or pressing a boot area of a touch screen.
• the launch of the verification program is for example meant to a user by a message displayed on a screen or by a sound bit or by the illumination of a light.
• the pressurization can then be performed by acting on the expander 15.
• the expander 15 is open until that a determined pressure is reached at the outlet of the expander 15.
• the pressure sensor 22 at the outlet of the expander allows a control of the supply pressure.
• the signal representative of the pressure M32 at the outlet of the expander is, for example, compared with a determined determined pressure.
• the verification device emits a signal representative of this pressure, such as a sound signal, a light signal or displays a message on a screen.
• the actuation of the regulator can be achieved for example manually.
• an opening of the valves 16 and 13 for access to the measuring space 3 and to the chamber 12 is controlled.
• This opening is for example performed automatically by opening control signals C31 and C30 transmitted by the processing module-5, via its ports 41 and 43, to the control interfaces of the valves 16 and 13.
• the flow sensor 23 installed in a passage 24 of the measuring space 3 provides a signal M33 representative of a determined flow rate to the processing module 5 via its port 44. When the detected flow rate is zero, the pressure in the space measurement 3 is then stabilized.
• valve 16 for access to the measurement space 3 and the chamber access valve 13 are closed. Closing is for example carried out automatically by control signals C31 and C30 of the valves 16 and 13 in the closed position generated by the processing module 5.
• a delay step of a determined duration is executed.
• This delay has for example a duration of a few seconds or even a duration of between 10 ms and 1000 ms.
• a step of reading the differential pressure between the measuring space 3 and the chamber 12 is performed.
• the signals M6 and M21 representative of the pressure respectively in the measurement space 3 and in the chamber 12 are, for example stored in memory and compared ⁇ 1 'to each other for determining the occurrence or absence of a pressure differential.
• the threshold differential pressure is for example between 0.01mbar and 0.1mbar.
• the program ends with the transmission of a leak detection message.
• the program P50 then advantageously comprises pressurizing the enclosure already packaged and ready for use after disconnection.
• the chamber may be conditioned before being pressurized and filled with a gas or a gaseous mixture determined.
• the enclosure comprises for example a discharge opening open or closed by a discharge valve 52.
• the discharge valve 52 is controlled open or closed by a control signal C54 provided by a port 53 connected to the bus 17 of the processing module 5.
• the processing module 5 comprises its program P55 for conditioning the chamber 2 stored in memory 11.
• the evacuation valve 52 is for example open, as well as the valve 16 as input 3.
• the user can then open the regulator 15 to carry out a scan in enclosure 2. That is to say that the gas contained in the chamber 2 is removed and replaced by the gas from the gas reserve 14.
• the gas stored in the reserve 14 is, for example, nitrogen or a dry gaseous mixture.
• the flow sensor 23 provides the signal M33 representative of the flow rate which is then received by the processing module 5 and integrated in time by the program P55 conditioning.
• the total amount of gas injected into the chamber can thus be calculated.
• the conditioning program commands the closing of the discharge valve 52 as well as the closing of the valve 16 at the entrance to the measurement space 3.
• the conditioning program P55 emits, for example, a signal representative of the end of the conditioning after a complete scan in the enclosure.
• the discharge valve 52 can also be controlled manually by the operator. The operator closes for example the valve after issuing a signal meaning to the operator when closing must be performed.
• the drain valve may be replaced by a simple closure or plug 'of opening an access port to the sealed enclosure.
• the sweeping of the enclosure makes it possible to avoid in particular the phenomena of water retention and condensation.
• the conditioning program p55 can also comprise the acquisition of the signal M6 representative of the pressure in the measurement space treated by a function of periodically checking a constant pressure level or within a determined pressure range, during the scan.
• the signal M6 representative of the pressure in the measurement space treated by a function of periodically checking a constant pressure level or within a determined pressure range, during the scan.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2014
  • 2014-12-30 FR FR1403030A patent/FR3031178B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2015
  • 2015-12-22 WO PCT/FR2015/000237 patent/WO2016107993A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2015-12-22 EP EP15848131.7A patent/EP3241008B1/de active Active

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